William Tsutsui explained how monster movies became so popular in Japan. There was a phenomenon that after World War two the frictional apocalypse happened more frequently in Tokyo than other places around the globe, this might be caused by atomic radiation effect. And this is the point Japan different from other countries. Tokyo, in its short history, had been destroyed and reconstructed many times, which affected the aesthetic of Japanese citizens. The destruction images became well-liked and these images could distract the audience from the hurtful memory they have been through. Most monster movies ended up with people stopped the damages and rebuilt the city, and from the disasters, as long as people worked together, we can get over any horror situation. In my point of view, the fantasy made by monster movies gives people hope to work with the government and unity, this king of love triangle story also has some nationalism or heroism inside to make it popular in Japan.
NAME: WU GUANLIN
UID: 3035498050
A thoughtful summation of the reading. What is this love triangle you are referring to? The relationship between the monster, the people and city? Is this then a suggestion of the relationship between the people, the state and the city? If so, is the monster an allegory for disaster – both human and natural? How do you relate nationalism and heroism in the context of the monster movie?